Rescuing an AdWords account

when they don't answer the phone anymore

[chewy]

Does anybody know how to reach an official AdWords address where they don't refer you back to the website?

I have a client who has lost control of their AdWords account.

They need to rescue it.

All help files say "email to adwords-suppport at google dot com.

Of course, this email no longer works and an auto reply is generated that says "go to contact us" and of course when you go there - they want an account number - and that is exactly what we don't have...

Back in the day, there was a phone number that was actually helpful. Of course, one needs an account #, and even then, they don't take calls from small accounts any more. Go figure.

[smallcompany]

Try this for Google account:

[google.com...]

This is for AdWords account (note that account ID is not mandatory):

[adwords.google.com...]

It's hard to believe that an owner has no a single email that would refer to the number of that account.

[chewy]

No id #, no email address, it was all handled by the intern.

Looking pretty unlikely to recover this one.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

Hello chewy,

I hope you will understand that the AdWords team can not turn over an AdWords account lightly - and they must have proof positive that the person who wants access has a legitimate right to have that access. ;)

That said, you will most likely be able to get access to the account if you have, say, precise details as to past payments.

On the other hand, if you have no information about the account whatsoever, it'll probably be a very tough road to gain access - and, I hope that most folks would agree, this is how it should be.

As you note, contacting support is different now than it once was. Given the very high volume (and very broad range) of support requests that come in, the support 'flow' is now designed to filter your request by topic so that it more directly reaches the right team. In your situation, I'd suggest starting on this page:

How do I contact Google AdWords?
[adwords.google.com...]

Once there, follow this path:

Start here > Account Administration (click the plus box) > Login Problems > Why can't I sign in? > No, I don't have my login email address, password, or my customer ID > complete this form

Below, with luck, is the "Why Can't I sign in?" page from the above path. If it does not work for you, then please try following the entire path above.

Why Can't I sign in?
[adwords.google.com...]

AWA

[chewy]

Thanks AWA -

This hopefully will make a difference for my client and other folks out there with a similar problem.

- in truth, the problem is reclaiming the Analytics portion of the account, but since nobody was helpful over at that part of WebmasterWorld, I came here, knowing full well that AdWords and Analytics was tied together.

I'll let you know how my little client makes out here.